Dieting and losing weight is something that the majority of us has tried at some time or another in our life and this being the case then we also know not only is it hard to lose the weight in the first place and get mobilized into action, once we have made a start and have lost weight and gotten down to the desired weight, how hard it is to keep it off. This problem is very common and it is what is called yo-yo dieting; the weight is lost then it's put back on again, only to lose it again and then repeat the pattern.

Breaking the yo-yo pattern is hard to break and get out of, but with a little thought and a change to your lifestyle it can be done and you can successfully lose weight and stick at your new weight. Here are some tips and guidelines to show you how.

Include exercise in your routine

Not only do you need a sensible diet in order to lose weight but also a firm plan of exercise. Eating less can only get you so far when it comes to weight loss; if you truly want to be fit and healthy then you have to have some form of exercise on a weekly regime. What type of exercise doesn't really matter as long as it is something which you enjoy doing, the biggest downfall of the majority of people is boredom.

Along with this it is essential that you change your lifestyle, losing weight is one thing, keeping it off is totally another. If you lose weight by dieting and watching the amount of calories that you eat then once having lost the weight if you go back to your old habits and lifestyle, then its only common sense that you are going to put the weight back on.

Create new eating habits

Establishing new eating habits are a must in order to be successful over the long term. Choose the type of diet that will not be too restrictive and that you will be able to stick with over the long term and totally change the way you think and feel about food. Your attitude to your diet and lifestyle goes a long way to being successful and avoiding the yo-yo syndrome, if you think positively then you will be positive and optimism is half the battle when it comes to losing weight and controlling the weight.

Don't think of the diet has been restrictive or that you can't eat what you want but rather think of it as being able to eat what you want but in smaller portions and with more control. Negativity is the downfall of most diets and those who are eventually successful have come to this conclusion the hard way.

Never give in and lose faith in yourself or your ability to master the secret of losing weight and keeping that weight off, keep a written journal to encourage you and take notice of the days when you have been most successful on your diet and those where you haven't and alter your diet plan as you go along. With a little effort you can change your lifestyle and how you think and feel about food and that is the key to a successful and long lasting diet plan.